The Harrods Christmas Tassel Collection by Jessica Light

A Unique Heritage Craft

Passementerie is the art of creating trims, tassels, and fancy textile embellishments. Jessica Light is the last practitioner of this craft in the East End of London. This area is one of the traditional hubs of trimming manufacture, dating back to the 17th century and the Huguenots. Jessica is one of only four individual passementeriers left in the UK. This craft is classified as an endangered heritage craft, meaning it is at risk of dying out.

All of Jessica’s trims are hand-woven on a mid-19th century foot-powered wooden treadle loom. The tassels are handmade in her London workshop, using techniques that date back to the 16th century. Jessica’s passementerie has adorned various realms, including interiors, fashion, and film. Her work has been commissioned by notable figures such as Vivienne Westwood, Firmdale Hotels, and The Royal Collections Trust.

Her handiwork can be seen in prestigious locations, such as Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. It also features on tablecloths in the recent film Death on The Nile. Perhaps her crowning achievement is the yellow bullion fringe on the balcony drape at Buckingham Palace. Jessica has a distinctive style that blends contemporary aesthetics with traditional skills. As she puts it, “Heritage techniques with modern thought.”

The Art of Bead Work

In addition to her expertise in passementerie, Jessica is also a skilled bead worker. Her beadwork has adorned couture gowns by renowned designers like Christian Lacroix, John Galliano, and Thierry Mugler. Notably, she created the crystal stars on Kylie Minogue’s John Galliano/Mr Pearl corset for the singer’s Showgirl tour.

The 2025 Harrods Christmas Tassel Collection

For the upcoming 2025 Harrods Christmas tassel collection, Jessica has combined her two high-level craft disciplines. She has created a unique range of luxury tassels, all handmade by herself.

Jessica has utilised 16th-century passementerie techniques, such as tassel skirt making and covering wooden shapes with threads and cords. She has added glittering crystal and pearl beadwork constructions to create an exclusive collection of hand-crafted tassels. These tassels come in rich, dramatic regal reds and delicate pastels, with a pop of lemon yellow. They are designed to bring glamour to any Christmas tree.

These tassels are too beautiful to hide away for the rest of the year. They can be used to decorate drawers, wardrobe and door handles, or even dangled off a handbag.

On working with Harrods, Jessica expresses her excitement: “It’s so wonderful to see such a world-renowned and iconic store like Harrods support and highlight an endangered heritage craft like passementerie and one of its last UK makers. I see these tassels not only as future heirlooms but also as a way to promote British craftsmanship and help keep these historic skills alive for generations to come.”

The Importance of Heritage Crafts

Heritage crafts like passementerie are vital to maintaining cultural identity. They connect us to our history and traditions. As these crafts face the risk of extinction, it becomes increasingly important to support artisans like Jessica Light.

By purchasing pieces from the Harrods Christmas Tassel collection, you are not only acquiring a beautiful decoration but also contributing to the preservation of a unique art form. Each tassel is a testament to the skill and dedication of its maker.

Supporting Local Artisans

Supporting local artisans is crucial for the sustainability of heritage crafts. When you buy handmade products, you are investing in the future of these crafts. You are helping to ensure that traditional skills are passed down through generations.

Jessica Light’s work exemplifies the beauty and intricacy of handmade items. Her tassels are not just decorations; they are pieces of art that tell a story. Each tassel carries the weight of history and the promise of future craftsmanship.

Conclusion

The Harrods Christmas Tassel collection by Jessica Light is a celebration of heritage craftsmanship. It showcases the beauty of passementerie and the skill of one of its last practitioners. By choosing to support this collection, you are helping to keep this endangered craft alive.

Explore the collection available in-store and online at Harrods.